Red Canyon Trail

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This information is a public record of the 2012 NRT application and may be out of date if it has not been updated by a trail manager --
check with the trail manager for updated details before visiting.

Red Canyon Trail

USDA Forest Service Urban Trail
  • Length
    8.6 miles
  • Elevation Gain
    --
  • Route Type
    out & back

The Red Canyon Bicycle Trail (Forest Service Trail 33016) is an 8.6-mile non-motorized trail that parallels the route of Utah Scenic Byway 12 through Red Canyon on the Dixie National Forest. At the eastern terminus the trail links to the East Fork Road, No. 087, and provides convenient access to the Great Western Trail, campgrounds, cabin rentals, and a local reservoir. Also, the trail directly accesses approximately 60 miles of non-motorized trails in Red Canyon, offering numerous loop opportunities including the Thunder Mountain Trail, known for outstanding mountain biking. The Powell Ranger District, Dixie National Forest, constructed 5.5 miles of the Red Canyon Bicycle Trail in 2000 and added an additional 3.1 miles in 2009.

Location: The Red Canyon Bicycle Trail (Forest Service Trail 33016) is an 8.6 mile non-motorized trail that parallels the route of Utah Scenic Byway 12 through Red Canyon on the Dixie National Forest.

  • States: Utah
  • Counties: Garfield
  • Cities/Townships: Approximately 7 miles Southeast of Panguitch, Utah

The Red Canyon Bicycle Trail starts at the bottom of Red Canyon on the Dixie National Forest at the Thunder Mountain Trailhead and progresses east for 5.5 miles to the top of Red Canyon on the Paunsaugunt Plateau. From there the trail travels east another 3.1 miles to the terminus at the East Fork Road. Access to the trail is from Scenic Byway 12 traveling through the same corridor.

Facilities located along the Red Canyon corridor include:

1. Red Canyon VC (parking for 25 vehicles and 6 pull-throughs).

2. Red Canyon CG (37 campsites and a 150 PAOT day use site).

3. Thunder Mt. TH is located at the bottom of Red Canyon (restroom, kiosks, and parking for 15 vehicles and 2 pull-throughs).

4. Johnson parking area/TH located at the top of Red Canyon (kiosks, parking for 12 cars, and 4 pull-throughs and restroom).

5. Tunnel TH (parking for 7 cars).

6. Red Canyon TH is located across SB12 (kiosks, restroom, parking for 10 cars, and 2 pull-throughs).

7. Coyote Hollow CG (4 sites) and Coyote Hollow Trailhead (kiosk, restroom, and parking for 8 cars and 3 pull-through) are located about 1 mile from the bike path (this route makes up portions of the Thunder Mtn. Trail loop). Historic uses of the land are obvious throughout the length of the trail including road access to other parts of the forest, grazing, telephone lines, developed campgrounds, and the Red Canyon Visitor Center. The predominant vegetation in this area is mixed conifer in Red Canyon and pinyon-juniper with sage-steppe communities on the Paunsaugunt Plateau.

Red Canyon is often referred to as "Little Bryce", with brilliantly colored red rocks called hoodoos and large Ponderosa pines, bristle cone pines, and limber pines throughout. This area is known as a place to get away from the crowds in Bryce Canyon National Park and provides multiple trail and recreation opportunities with spectacular scenery.

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Allowed Uses:

Bicycling Dogs, on leash Hiking/Walking

Other Activities

  • Wildlife viewing / observation

Public Contact

Dixie National Forest
225 East Center Street
Panguitch, UT 84759
435-676-9300

Contact the trail manager for current maps and visiting details.

More Details

  • Elevation (low): 7100
  • Elevation (high): 7777
  • Elevation (cumulative): --

  • Part of a Trail System? No
  • Surface (primary): Paved
  • Surfaces (additional): --

  • Tread Width (average): 96"
  • Tread Width (minimum): 0
  • Running length (minimum): --

  • Tread Grade (average, percent): 6
  • Tread Grade (maximum): 11
  • Running length (maximum): --

  • Cross-slope (average, percent): 0
  • Cross-slope (maximum): --
  • Running length (maximum): --
  • Certified as an NRT
    Mar 21, 2012
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